NPR

Chemists Say You Should Add A Little Water To Your Whiskey. Here's Why

It's a common refrain from whiskey enthusiasts: Adding a few drops of water to a glass opens up the flavors of the drink. Chemists in Sweden provide a molecular explanation for why this works.
Single malt Scotch whisky, produced at the Auchentoshan Distillery near Glasgow, Scotland, could benefit from a little water, a new paper suggests. / ANDY BUCHANAN / Getty Images

Updated at 10:55 a.m. ET

It's a common refrain among whiskey enthusiasts: Add a few drops of water to a glass to open up the flavors and aroma of the drink.

For example, hard-liquor expert Alice Lascelles said in a demonstration for The Sunday Times that "if you're tasting with a master blender, they will always add some water at some stage."

But the science behind this claim has been murky. A couple of chemists in Sweden set out

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
Magic, Secrets, And Urban Legend: 3 New YA Fantasy Novels To Read This Spring
A heist with a social conscience, a father using magic for questionable work, an urban legend turned sleepover dare: These new releases explore protagonists embracing the magic within themselves.
NPR3 min readWorld
The Eurovision Song Contest Kicked Off With Pop And Protests
Performers representing countries across Europe and beyond took the stage in the first of two Eurovision semifinals in the Swedish city of Malmo, against a backdrop of both parties and protests.
NPR3 min readIntelligence (AI) & Semantics
ChatGPT Maker OpenAI Exploring How To 'Responsibly' Make AI Erotica
The San Francisco-based AI juggernaut says it is re-evaluating its policies around "NSFW" content.

Related Books & Audiobooks